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New Zealand have suffered a big blow ahead of their two-match Test series against England, scheduled to start from June 2. Their pace bowling spearhead is likely to skip the series due to personal reasons. The player in question is Mumbai Indians pacer Trent Boult. He is likely to miss the series against England as he has made the decision to head back home to see his family. Although Boult will still be available for the all-important World Test Championship final against India.
An NZC statement said that Trent Boult will be back with the New Zealand squad possibly in the time to be picked for the second Test but certainly in the time for the ICC World Test Championship final. The New Zealand Cricket are supporting Trent’s decision to make a home trip as IPL 2021 has been suspended indefinitely. Along with Boult, New Zealand trainer Chris Donaldson, who has been with the Kolkata Knight Riders franchise in the IPL will also take a break from national duties and spend time with their families after going through the mandatory two weeks quarantine on their return before rejoining the Test team in the UK.
Trent Boult and trainer Donaldson are due to depart from Delhi on Friday on a charter flight along with the other New Zealand based players, commentators, umpires, support staff and officials. Had IPL run its full course, Boult would likely have been unavailable for the first Test at Lord’s which starts on June 2 and it may have been tight for the second Test also due to quarantine requirements.